Youth Coordinator

Kristy Brumfield, Youth Coordinator

Birdsong

SA

Paul Read

Boosey & Hawkes CME

This is a haunting piece based on a poem written by an unknown child in the Terezin Concentration Camp during World War II.  It can be a bit challenging, but worth the extra time and effort for your older children’s choirs. There are beautiful harmonies set to a heavily syncopated accompaniment.  You will find so much joy in teaching this piece!

You Will Be Found

Two-Part

Benjamin Pasek & Justin Paul/arr. Mac Huff

Hal Leonard

This is the power ballad from the hit musical “Dear Evan Hansen”. The message of love and respect for our fellow human beings will resonate with your choirs as they learn this piece.  “You Will Be Found” will make a wonderful spring pop concert closer. Take the time to listen to one of the many recordings already posted on YouTube…you may find that you want to add this one to this year’s library. 

On a Starlit Night

Two-Part

Jill Galina

Shawnee Press

This beautiful partner song arrangement of “Silent Night” paired with an original melody by Jill Galina is simply beautiful for children’s voices.  Using partner songs is such a great way to reinforce harmonization skills, and this one is a crowd pleaser as well! Great for use in church or school, you and your students will be moved by its beauty. 

Julie’s Green Room

This is a Netflix original series that debuted last spring. I have enjoyed using it in my classroom as a tool for teaching musical theater, and have been able to build lessons around each episode.  Each week, a different concept is introduced, and special guest stars from the world of stage and screen visit Julie Andrews and her cast of children’s workshop characters all played by puppets.  Through the use of this series, I’ve taught numerous new vocabulary words as well as musical theater appreciation.  The characters show that each of us has our own gifts and talents to contribute to the body, and how we can all use those talents to work cooperatively for a common goal.  Each episode is roughly 35-40 minutes long, leaving time at the end for discussion and reinforcement of the day’s topic. This is also good to use for substitutes.  Enjoy!

Youth Coordinator

Kristy Brumfield, Youth Coordinator

Tecolote (Song of the Little Owl) 

SA

Victoria Ebel-Sabo

Shawnee 35022538

This beautiful Spanish lullaby was inspired by the composer's childhood memories.  It is a simple, two part piece with a lilting melody, characteristic spanish rhythms, and a piano accompaniment that has a guitar feel.  Its beauty and simplicity are a perfect complement to the innocence of children's voices.  You will be humming this one long after the concert has ended.  

Festival Alleluia

Unison/Two-Part

Allen Pote

Choristers Guild CGA280

This exciting, rhythmic piece is perfect for choirs just beginning to explore two-part singing.  The melody is quite singable, with just enough of a challenge to give your young singers a true sense of accomplishment.  The message of the text is perhaps its best feature: "Make your life a song to God!" Whether programming for school, festival, or concert, this is sure to become a favorite of your singers.  

Magical Kingdom

Two-Part

John Rutter

Oxford University Press 9780193408296

For young voices, can you go wrong with Rutter?  Definitely not with this piece.  This secular piece is perfect for children's voices with its fantasy and fairytale-laced text.  The harmonies are simple, yet challenging enough for beginning part singers to enjoy.  The melody is quite lyrical with just a touch of pop, characteristic of Rutter's writing.  Audiences and singers alike will fall in love with this ode to childhood innocence.  

Fun with Boomwhackers

Chris Judah-Lauder

Alfred 0528B

This resource is a must for any teacher who incorporates Boomwhackers into their lessons.  The book includes twenty songs and lessons, presented in order of difficulty, that incorporate the NAfME standards.  There are also lessons that utilize movement and mallet techniques.  The lessons are easily adaptable for your classroom needs.  Boomwhackers are a fun way to reinforce sight reading skills, and can be used for an out-of-the-ordinary accompaniment to a piece or two for your children's choir.  This book is a great place to start if you would like to explore ways to use Boomwhackers in your music classes.  

Youth Coordinator

Kristy Brumfield, Youth Coordinator

Clap Your Hands, Rejoice!

Two part

Andy Beck

Alfred Music Publishing 30917

This exciting piece for children’s choir or younger youth is a wonderful concert opener! It has an easy melody that lends itself to Solfege reinforcement during teaching. The middle section uses a simple, yet impressive layering of clapped rhythm patterns and introduces a descant that continues through the ending. Choirs will enjoy singing,  clapping, and being challenged by this fun piece of music.  The excitement of the text will set the tone for the remainder of the concert. 

All Things Bright and Beautiful

Unison/2-pt. (also available SATB and SSA)

John Rutter

Oxford University Press 9780193420625

There is no better way to begin the choir year with young singers than to program a John Rutter piece.  This beautiful standard is perfect for teaching and reinforcing proper head tone.  The two-part harmonies are simple, yet effective for teaching beginners to sing in two parts.  The melody is an effective teaching tool for intervals that may sometimes go beyond the “norm” in children’s choral music.  Audiences and singers alike will enjoy this piece time after time. Consider making it a staple in your music library.  

Mama, A Rainbow

Two part (also available SAB)

Grossman/Hackady, arr. Ed Lojeski

Hal Leonard Publishing 08551680

This beautiful ballad from the Broadway show “Minnie’s Boys” is not your typical showtune!  This piece is perfect as a dedication to the mothers in the audience at your spring concert. The melody and optional harmonies are extremely simple to teach, and Lojeski has provided beautiful piano accompaniment; however, the text is what truly makes this piece unforgettable.  Lines such as “What can I give you, that I can give you?.....Mama young and beautiful, that’s the Mama I’ll always see…” are woven throughout this touching piece. It is sure to be a favorite!

John Jacobson’s Music Express Magazine

Music Express Magazine is so much more than a student magazine. This classroom resource features a different composer each month, complete with a listening map for the highlighted piece. Also featured each month is a different country with a featured folk song, and access to a video with pictures of the people and points of interest.  In each installment, a professional musician is interviewed and there is an accompanying video available. In the teacher’s guide, a multitude of extensions are given for every plan, and each lesson coincides with the national standards for music education. For each of the songs in the student magazine, online choreography with John Jacobson teaching is available, making your music class more fun and active. Also included are lessons for recorders, cross-curricular activities, and lessons that teach harmonization and sight reading skills. A school-year subscription is $195.00, and well worth the investment, as these magazines can be used for years.  I heartily recommend this resource for your elementary music classes as well as middle school music appreciation classes. There are always more plans than you could need, and all of them are easily adaptable to many different grade levels.